Is My Skin Dry or Dehydrated?

Do you suffer from breakouts or skin congestion? Your issue may not be as simple as clogged pores. Instead, you may be suffering from dehydrated skin which is not to be confused with dry skin. Keep reading to learn more about dehydrated skin, it's causes and how to treat it.

Dehydrated Skin

The concept of dehydrated skin can be confusing because it seems synonymous to dry skin, although the two are very different. Dry skin is often marked by tightness, itchiness, flaking and inflammation. Dry skin is also persistent as it is a skin type defined by having less oil-producing glands in the skin.

Dehydrated skin on the other hand is a bit more complicated. It is caused by a lack of water in the skin as opposed to oil. It tends to come and go as it is a skin condition not skin type. Therefore you can have dehydrated skin and still have an oily or combination skin type.

How to Tell the Difference

When it comes to dryness, the issue is relatively straightforward. Your skin produces less sebum than normal because you have less oil-producing skin glands. This means the skin does not produce enough moisture to retain a healthy skin barrier.

If your skin is dehydrated, there are different factors at hand. The weather, climate change, diet and lifestyle as well as skin care can all contribute to the issue of skin dehydration.

A good way to know if your skin is dry versus dehydrated is to notice the persistence of the problem. Is your congestion and inflammation a recent issue or one that comes and goes? Has your skin always been this way or is this a recent change? This is a good way to know if this is your skin type versus a skin condition.

It's also important to notice signs of dehydrated skin which include congestion, inflammation and redness. Dry skin on the other hand is typically inflamed, itchy and flaky and is often concentrated in certain areas of the face such as around the mouth, the nose and eyebrows.

How to Treat

Stay Hydrated. If your're suffering from dehydrated skin, it's all the more important to monitor your water intake. Make sure your're drinking at least 2 liters of water per day and cut out the sugary, caffeinated drinks which tend to dry the skin even more.

Exfoliate. Exfoliating helps with many skin concerns including dehydrated skin. It works to get rid of build up within the pores, treat congestion and renew the skin's ability to absorb moisture. Start a regular exfoliation routine of at least once per week.

Hydrate with your skin care. In addition to water intake, it's important to use hydrating skin care products that help your skin to retain moisture. Serums are great for for this, especially ones that have hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. For this we would recommend the Fracora Essence Oil Serum. It also helps to use a more intensive moisturizer before you go to bed as this is the time our skin typically loses moisture.

Along with this, always pay attention to how the weather affects your skin. Typically dry or dehydrated skin can be exacerbated by cold weather. Therefore be sure to make the appropriate changes to your skin care as the weather changes. This will help you maintain healthy, hydrated skin all year long.